Ministry Education March 2017

As I begin the year and occupy a space between the academic life of BTC and Diocesan ministry, I have been reflecting on the question “why do we do Ministry Education?” Within the Diocesan Strategic Plan: Towards 2020, strategic priority 3 captures the reason that Ministry education exists: To develop confident, creative and spiritually healthy leaders across the diocese with a clear understanding of the gospel, discipleship and ministry as participating in the mission of God, reflecting a diversity of leadership styles and modes as appropriate to a range of ministry contexts, challenges and needs. The outcome of which is the identification, nurture and formation of a new generation of leaders (both lay and ordained) for fresh and reinvigorating ministry initiatives. To see existing leaders actively embracing opportunities to grow professionally for ministry with a clear sense of mission and outreach.

For Clergy this involves developing a culture of life-long learning and ongoing professional development within the Diocese that enables all licensed clergy to strategically and intentionally reflect on their ministries and embrace opportunities to up-skill. For lay leadership, ministry education is about: Identifying those with leadership potential as well as people’s individual giftings; Equipping lay leaders through training opportunities that are relevant to both their needs and parish needs; and Empowering by providing opportunities to be involved in ministry. One recent piece of feedback on lay training typifies this:

I have always found that I’ve gained a greater understanding of the subject matter of each course. I have more confidence in going out and sensitively sharing my belief on God, and I’ve found the group sessions very beneficial in gaining more skill in hands on stuff. I certainly go away from each session, really fired up and eager to watch for opportunities to use my newly acquired knowledge.

Through ministry education, may we all let God shape and use us as we seek to participate in the ministry of Jesus in this world.

EQUIP Ministry Education

For this year EQUIP is going to run a little differently. Rather than 3 Saturdays in each region, EQUIP is going to have a focus month in each region so that in that month, 4 evening sessions will be held on the topics of

The Big Story of the Bible

Handling the Bible.

These would be great events post-ALPHA, for home groups, and for training new leaders.

I’m aware that a number of parishes are focusing on ALPHA in the first part of the year, so we try and plan the events to avoid ALPHA. Now is a good time to think of those you want to get involved in training in 2017 or if BTC can tailor-make some training for your parish/region.

Post Ordination Ministry Development (POMD) is a 3-year programme for those newly ordained (and if required those new to the Diocese), and is a requirement of your ordination and Bishop’s license. The aim of POMD is to cover ministry competencies for your current and future ministry and to build collegiality as a group.

The current POMD process is 2-fold. First, participation in a Community of Practice (replaces or sits alongside regional deanery meetings).

Mawhera

Nelson

Waimea

Marlborough

Pattern

1st Fri

1st Thr

1st Thr

3rd Thr

January

February

17

9

16

March

2

April

21

6

20

May

4

June

23

1

15

July

4

August

18

3

September

7

21

October

13

5

November

23

2

16

December 1

The second part is new for 2017 and replaces the previous POMD model of meeting 1 day a month.The plan is to meet three time each year; 2 one-day meetings, and 1 two-day meeting (Marae visit or Bishop’s retreat).The aim for each day will be to discuss 2 ministry competencies.Please note a change to FRIDAY to enable everyone to be there.May and August events will be held in Blenheim (Nelson Folks hopefully we can carpool).

Suggested dates (venue to be confirmed):

May 10: New Wine is bringing Mark Griffiths to Nelson.

May 12: Please purchase and read Chuck Collins, Reformation Anglicanism: Biblical, Generous, Beautiful (Newport Beach: Anglican House Publishers, 2014). This is a clear and easy-to-read description of Anglican DNA and a must read for clergy and anyone wanting to know what does being Anglican mean. We will frame our discussion on celebrating Communion around this. The second topic will be either “Executing” or “Building teams” (both relating to “Leadership”) from the recent Willowcreek GLS DVD.

Aug 11 (Friday)

Nov 9-10 (Thr-Fri)

Daily Plan:

Arrive 9.30am – coffee

Begin 10.00am -Topic 1

Lunch 12.30

Begin 1.30 – Topic 2

Finish 4pm

Competencies

1. Church Practices

2. Leadership and Management

Baptism

Vision

Weddings

Leadership

Funerals

Communication skills

Worship: traditional and informal (communion)

Church growth

Anglican/bi-cultural/Marae Visit

Conflict management

Preaching (covered by the School of Preaching)

Building teams

Evangelism

MAP

Welcoming/Incorporation

Spiritual Gifts

Missional Ministry

Time management, delegation

Ministry to Children, Youth, Elderly

Boundaries/SafeHere/Title D

Self Care

CALEB Leadership Course

The 2017 course is being held in Richmond July 25-Aug 4. For more details, see http://www.calebnz.org.nz or talk to me. There is funding available.

Ministry INTERNSHIP SCHEME

If you are interested in this for 2016/2017 now is a good time to begin a conversation with myself, your vestry and any possible intern. Please remember that an intern is a training position, so the intern needs to be working under someone with experience.We now have the exciting development of offering a 1yr fulltime certificate and diploma which majors on internship (20hrs per week) which would be ideal for any young person wanting to do a gap year programme or gain experience in Christian ministry.Our two internship options are:

A copy of the new Alpha film series is on memory stick at the Resource Library (Anglican Centre).

ALPHA PRAYER COURSE

Journey through the Lord’s Prayer with six short videos and a handy “cheat sheet” for each session, all designed to fuel discussion and deepen the prayer life of your church. Download all material free from https://www.prayercourse.org/

Books to Read:

John Burke, No Perfect People Allowed: creating a Come As You Are culture in the Church, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007. (Thanks Marge Tefft for this)

Matt Perman, What’s Best Next: How the Gospel transforms the way you get things done. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2017.

BIOLOGOS is an organization founded by Francis Collins, of dedicated evangelicals committed to the relationship between the Christian faith and science. They have a new site for “pastor resources” which has very good resources for many of the difficult questions people ask. New Resource: http://biologos.org/resources/the-big-story/

The BioLogos Conference is happening March 29-31 with the theme of “Christ and Creation”. Speakers include NT Wright, Scott McKnight and Andy Crouch. For $49US you can livestream the plenary talks. If you are interested talk to me for a link.

ISCASTis an Australian organisation (with many NZers and expats) dedicated to exploring the interface between science and the Christian faith. Its membership consists of scientists, theologians and professionals with standing in their own fields and a commitment to the Christian faith. Their website has many good resources that tackle many questions about science and faith.See http://www.iscast.org.

InterChurch Bioethics Council.

The InterChurch Bioethics Council (ICBC) is composed of appointed representatives from Anglican, Methodist and Presbyterian Churches for the purpose of addressing crucial ethical issues in NZ relating to bioethics http://www.interchurchbioethics.org.nz and Facebook.

About the Anglican Church

The Anglican Diocese of Nelson is a family of evangelical churches shaped by Anglican tradition. It covers the top third of the South Island of New Zealand. We are strongly committed to carrying the mission of Christ forward and engaging in contemporary ministry through the local church. We have a vision to strengthen local churches, but also to plant new kinds of churches and ministries wherever there is a need. We want to obey Christ's Great Commission to make disciples of all nations.